Army prepares for NPA reprisal after attack

‘CONDUCTED WITH PRECISION’ Army commanders in Bukidnon and Northern Mindanao explain in a news conference their Christmas Day operation against the rebels. —Video grab from 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, Philippine Army FACEBOOK page

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Government forces are preparing for possible retaliatory attacks by communist rebels after a Christmas Day operation that scuttled a planned gathering in time for the 55th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Tuesday in the hinterlands of Malaybalay City in Bukidnon province.

“We are prepared for any retaliation by the NPA (New People’s Army). I have instructed all units to be vigilant; we will not lower our guards,” Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, told reporters in a briefing on Tuesday.

According to Cuerpo, the planned gathering in the mountains of Barangay Can-ayan, some 20 kilometers from the city center and accessible only through unpaved roads, is a major event for local communists as they have not held such public rites since the pandemic broke out in early 2020.

“Had it pushed through, it would have been the first [after four years],” Cuerpo added.

Monday’s attack began with aerial bombings and artillery strikes at dawn, followed by the onslaught of ground troops who chased off the rebels, estimated to be around 40, into the villages of Kibalabag, Mapulo and Kulaman.

The number of suspected NPA rebels killed in the military operation rose to 10 while eight weapons were recovered from the area.

Vow of vengeance

On Tuesday, CPP information officer Marco Valbuena told the Inquirer that they “are still verifying reports” of what happened in Bukidnon on Monday.

“As of now, we cannot say for sure whether those whom the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) said were killed are really NPA fighters or civilian residents in the area,” Valbuena said.

“Initially, we have gathered information that for several hours in the early morning of Dec. 25, the AFP used jet fighters to repeatedly drop powerful… bombs in the interior areas of Malaybalay City,” added Valbuena, who criticized the military for its “disproportionate use of firepower.”

Whether those killed were NPA fighters or civilians, “their deaths will be avenged,” Valbuena vowed.

He added that the recent intensification of the military’s offensives in different parts of the country “punctuates their opposition to the possible resumption of peace negotiations initiated by the Marcos [administration].”

Brig. Gen. Michele Anayron Jr., commander of the Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade, said some locals who were invited to the event told soldiers that there was a planned CPP anniversary gathering in Can-ayan.

An outdoor kitchen was set up to prepare large amounts of food, indicating the gathering would be big, and which could further indicate that a top-ranking CPP leader was expected to attend, Anayron said.

He said residents also told soldiers that among those killed could be ranking rebel leaders.

“We will verify once the bodies are brought to the city center,” he said.

Cuerpo has committed to turn over the bodies of the fatalities to the local government of Malaybalay so their families, once they are identified, can claim and give them a proper burial.

Assurance

Lt. Col. Anthony Bacus, commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion, assured the public that there were no civilians displaced or affected by the Christmas Day operation as the battle area was far from the community.

“The operation was conducted with precision and adherence to protocols that ensure the safety of civilians,” he said.

Cuerpo is confident the recent military success in Malaybalay would further put pressure on the rebels who, he said, “are mostly on the run because they no longer have any influenced barangay in Bukidnon.”

He estimated the NPA strength in the province to have dwindled to about only 70 fighters today.

“You can no longer consider them strong,” he added.

On Tuesday, in time for its anniversary, the CPP called on its members “to rectify errors” in order to strengthen the party and the communist revolution in the Philippines, considered as the longest running in the world.

“Grave conditions are pushing more and more people to militantly and collectively fight for their political and economic rights, and to wage revolutionary resistance to attain their national democratic aspirations,” the party said. —WITH A REPORT FROM RYAN D. ROSAURO 

READ: 15 ex-rebels yield to military in Masbate